Making the case: You don't move a linebacker good enough to see action his freshman season to tight end unless the upside is greater, and there is plenty of upside for the 6-foot-7, 260-pound Niklas, who had earned the nickname "Hercules" from his teammates shortly after his arrival in 2011. While he caught just five passes for 75 yards and a touchdown in the shadow of eventual first-round draft pick Tyler Eifert last season, Niklas will have a bigger role this season on an offense that loses four of its top six pass-catchers from 2012. Expecting the junior to produce the way that past greats at Tight End U. have is probably asking a bit much this fall, but don't be surprised if Niklas ends up as a reliable threat down the line for Tommy Rees, who took full advantage of Eifert the last two seasons.